The people of the Indonesian island combat the impact of climate change on livelihoods by taking up weaving and exporting traditional textiles. Sumba, located in Indonesia’s severely climate-sensitive regions and considered an ecological forefront for desertification, is a fragile ecosystem whose heart beats to the rhythm of three things: the availability of water for crops, animals, and people; the millennia-old textile-making tradition; and the ancient Marapu belief. The island’s textiles mirror its arid climate and are an extension and symbol of its well-being.
The fabric, purely made of natural substances found on the island, such as cotton, herbs, and wood, reflects the island’s challenging environmental conditions, making its people more resourceful and encouraging sustainability. Tenun ikat Sumba (Sumbanese woven fabric) is made from cotton naturally growing on the island. Each piece is meticulously crafted.
| Photo Credit:Boris R-Thebia In the village of Praikamaru, located at Melolo in eastern Sumba, Hana and her daughter weave every day, using age-old tools and techniques. Hana will pass her knowledge and skills to her daughter, ensuring the continuity of Sumba’s weaving tradition for generations to come. | Photo Credit:Boris R-Thebia Each length of fabric can take up to a year to make.
| Photo Credit:Boris R-Thebia The lively colours used for Sumba’s traditional textiles are derived from natural ingredients found across the island. The Indigofera tinctoria .